CLINTON, IA – December 2017 –Gilda’s Club Quad Cities, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community (CSC), is excited to offer free cancer support services to residents of Clinton and surrounding areas. The mission of CSC and Gilda’s Club is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.
In order to meet the growing needs of cancer patients and their families, Gilda’s Club is partnering with Mercy Medical Center and other community organizations to provide its evidenced-based cancer support programs closer to those living outside of the metro Quad Cities.
Long time Gilda’s Club member and Clinton resident, Francie Hill states, “I am so happy to see that Gilda’s Club is in our community for anyone diagnosed with cancer to share information with others who understand what we’re going through.”
“Along with our Clinton partners, we seek to ensure patients receive quality, comprehensive cancer care,” explained Gilda’s Club Program Director Melissa Wright. “Research has shown that social and emotional support are critical components of patient-centered care for patients with cancer and their families.”
Patient centered services provided by Gilda’s Club include distress screening, treatment decision support, educational workshops, support groups, healthy lifestyle programs, and access to research studies being conducted by the Cancer Support Community Research and Training Institute.
According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, Clinton County has a higher than average rate of cancer incidence in the United States; and a higher than average incidence in Iowa for breast, cervical, colorectal, melanoma and lung cancers.
The 2017 Cancer Experience Registry, developed by the Cancer Support Community’s Research and Training Institute, tracks the social and emotional experience of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer continuum. The report finds many patients—from newly diagnosed to those that are multiple years out from a diagnosis—experience varying levels of distress related to psychological, social, and financial concerns. High levels of distress can negatively impact patient outcomes, and alleviating distress, through screening and support, is an integral component of any cancer care plan.
Based on this data, Gilda’s Club Quad Cities, Mercy Medical Center Clinton, and other community partners recognize the need for cancer support services within Clinton County. Gilda’s Club will offer an ongoing monthly support group, educational workshops at various locations, and weekly patient outreach at Mercy Radiation Oncology Center. For more information contact Gilda’s Club Quad Cities at 563-326-7504 or email at gc@gildasclubqc.org.
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ABOUT THE CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY AND GILDA’S CLUB
As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC), including its Gilda’s Club affiliates, is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization offers the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts
cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call Gilda’s Club Quad Cities at 563-326-7504 or visit www.gildasclubqc.org.
So that no one faces cancer alone®.
